dim sum in toronto
 

My wife and I are coming to Toronto for the first time the middle of April. We both love dim sum. I've been looking thru Fodors and Zagat for recommendations. Would love to hear from locals. We are more partial to the small storefront type places rather than the fancy tablecloth type. Thanks.<BR>Bob G.

I have three recommendations;<BR>Lai Wah Heen - exceptional, very elegant, but WOW!<BR><BR>Bayview Garden - under The Colony Hotel - nothing to look at, very local, few Caucasians, very good.<BR><BR>Dynasty - Bloor Street - a bit more upscale but really good in a nice location.<BR><BR>If you enjoy Schezuan (sp?) my favorite is Champion House right in Chinatown, downstairs on Dundas Street W. Nothing to look at but AMAZING lemon chicken, schezhuan shrimp, spicy eggplant, dumplings, and also their duck...MMMM.

In Chinatown, Gerrand and Woodbine. Couple of nice places there.

Most of the places listed are not holes-in-the-wall, but they match my wife's suggestions.<BR><BR>She adds Hsin Kuang on Spadina, north of Dundas. Big building, lions in the front. and the Pink PEarl, in the Queen's Quay Terminal Building at harbourfront. It's in a tourism / cultural attraction, but excellent.<BR><BR>BAK

I would agree with the Pink Pearl suggestion, especially if the weather is pleasant; the view from their windows can be lovely. But my absolute favourite dim sum spot is New Treasure, on the north side of Dundas Street near Chestnut. It's down a flight of stairs; I think there's another restaurant above it. If you get there early enough on a Sunday, you can have their amazing fried yams; those are usually gone by noon or thereabouts. It's certainly not elegant, but definitely delicious.

We liked Dynasty, on Bloor. Second story with big windows, so you can look out at (over, I suppose) the passersby. Very good dim sum, nice big place.

My vote is for Dynasty on Bloor - fantastic!

Let posters know where you are staying (assuming you are downtown)and/or whether you will have a car...Agree with comments from all of the previous posters. All of the recommendations are downtown. Another downtown one is Kings Court on King St West. However, the bulk of the local Chinese popoulation and therefore many good Chinese restaurants are located in the suburbs. A lot are concentrated in the Bayview/Highway 7 area, about a 30 minute drive during non-rush hour. One very good one is Grand Yatt on Bayview Ave. For some reason, its other location in the downtown Westin Hotel is not as good. Enjoy!

There is simply no contest. The best in Toronto, and possibly North America is Lai Wah Heen. Virtually every person I've taken there said that it was the best they'd ever had. It is expensive, however.<BR><BR>It's big and fancy. The idea that little places have better food is nonsense.